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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/03 September) – Seven government soldiers were wounded when a landmine planted by suspected New People’s Army rebels exploded in Sitio Lantaan, Barangay Napnapan, Pantukan, Compostela Valley Province around 4:13 a.m. today.
Major Jacob Obligado, commander of the 10th Civil Military Operations Battalion, said the solders, belonging to the 28th Infantry Battalion were conducting a community security patrol in the village when the explosive went off.
“Another gross violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Law, which totally ban the use of landmines,” Obligado said in a text message sent to MindaNews.
Obligado was apparently referring to the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law signed between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front.
The wounded soldiers were brought to the Camp Panacan Station Hospital. Their names have been withheld as their families have yet to be informed.
The NPA has always defended its use of landmines saying it is using the command-detonated types not the anti-personnel mines which explode on contact and are banned under the Ottawa Treaty. (Keith Bacongco/MindaNews)
